Prague Sights / Attractions

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The Powder Tower (Mihulka)

Pražský Hrad, Praha 1, Hradčany, Tel: +420 224 371 111, Website: www.hrad.cz, Metro: Malostranská/Tram, 12, 18, 22, Open: 1 Apr-31 Oct 9am-5pm, Tue-Sun, closed Mon, 1 Nov-31 Mar 9am-4pm, Tue-Sun closed Monday
Forming part of the defences of Prague Castle, the tower's gun ports suggest that the structure was originally used as a cannon bastion (although ultimately its weapons were never fired in anger). Most famously, the round tower was utilised by Rudolf II in the 18th century for alchemy experiments - the science of turning base metals into gold - apparently attracting charlatans and mad scientists from all over Europe. Nowadays, the tower is home to a small exhibition on alchemy and cannon forging.

Prague Castle Riding-School (Jízdárna)

U Prašného mostu 55, Praha 1, Hradčany, Tel: +420 224 371 111, Website: www.hrad.cz, Metro: Hradčanská/Tram 8, 18, 25, 26, Opening times: Dependent upon exhibition, Free with Matilda card
This simple, yet elegant baroque style building was constructed in 1694 on a site that originally served as the ditch for the castle moat. Restored in the post WWII period, the Riding School has since been transformed into a popular venue for temporary art exhibitions. Despite being directly opposite the (immaculately kept) Royal Gardens, the school has its own pleasant outdoor area, making it a nice spot in which to relax after touring the Castle District.

Resslova Ulice

Praha 2, Nové Mēsto, Metro: Karlovo Námēsti, Open: 10am-4pm, Tue-Sun, closed Mon
Worth seeking out for the impressive Baroque Church of SS Cyril and Methodius (along with the adjoining 18th priest's home designed by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer), the building is perhaps best known as being the hiding place for seven parachutists who assassinated the German Protector of Bohemia R. Heydrich in 1942. Holed up in the crypt while German forces laid siege to the church, all of the soldiers eventually died - either killed by sniper fire or having committed suicide. A small exhibition in the crypt documents Nazi terror against the Czechs, while a small plaque (on an outside wall of the church) commemorates the soldiers' bravery.

Rotunda of the Holy Rood (Rotunda sv. Kříže)

Konviktská, Praha 1, Staré Mēsto, Metro: Národni třída
As one of three Romanesque rotundas in Prague, the Holy Rood dates back to 1190, making it one of Prague's oldest buildings. Restored in the mid-19th century by Vojtěch Ullman and Josef Mánes, the interior features several 14th-century ecclesiastical scenes including the Coronation of the Virgin (which can be viewed at Mass on Tuesdays and Sundays).

Royal Gardens (Královská zahrada)

U Prašného mostu, Praha 1, Hradčany, Website: www.hrad.cz, Metro: Hradčanská, Tram 22, Open: 1 Apr-31 Oct 10am-6pm daily, Free with Matilda card
Established during the reign of Ferdinand I, the layout of Prague's Royal Gardens originally included fig and orange trees, a maze and menagerie, before being savagely uprooted by Swedish soldiers in the 17th century.

In addition to the many English style paths and flower beds, the Gardens are also home to one of the most impressive Renaissance structures in Central Europe - the Summer Palace (incorrectly known as the Belvedere) which was built during the 16th century. Intended as a grand setting for lavish entertainment at the Royal Court during summer months, the Palace features, as part of its design, a striking - but oddly shaped - copper roof (rather like the inverted hull of a ship).

In front, the Singing Fountain, cast in bronze, derives its name from the noise made by the jets of water as they hit the fountain's basin. Also within the grounds is the ornately decorated Ball Game Hall, another period Renaissance structure built by Wohlmut and Avostalis in 1565. As the name suggests, it originally served as a games hall, with the Habsburgs regularly playing a rudimentary form of badminton within its walls.

Rudolfinum

Alšovo nábřeži 12, Praha 1, Staré Mēsto, Tel: +420 224 893 348 (Gallery), Websites: www.rudolfinum.cz and www.galerie-rudolfinum.com, E-mail: galerie@rudolfinum.org, Metro: Staroměstská, Tram 17, 18 to Staroměstská
This fine neo-Renaissance building was constructed between 1876 and 1884 to the designs of Josef Schulz and Josef Zitek. Originally intended as a concert hall and art gallery, the Rudolfinum was used during the interwar years as the seat of the Czech Parliament (before eventually being shut down by the Nazis). So legend has it, the Reich forces also insisted that a statue of the Jewish composer Mendelssohn be removed from the hall's balustrade gallery. However, as each illustrious composer came without name attached, it was decided to choose the one with the biggest nose. Unfortunately, this turned out to be Wagner, Hitler's favourite composer.

Today, following restoration, the Rudolfinum once again fulfils its original purpose, being widely acknowledged as Prague's premier concert hall. Concerts are held in the Dvořák Hall as part of the Prague Spring Music Festival, while the venue is also the official home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (who frequently perform works by the likes of Dvořák and Smetana). A high level of musicianship and cheap ticket prices combine to make a memorable night out here, while for art lovers, the top floor of the building is devoted to temporary art exhibitions.